Doctors at a Sydney hospital say a new drug is offering hope to lung cancer patients. The immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, also known under proprietary name Keytruda, is being trialled at Westmead Hospital in Sydney's west as part of a global study running in 16 countries. ...

Melbourne researchers have discovered lung cancer and emphysema patients both have high levels of a particular protein. They are optimistic this find may lead to the development of a blood test to detect the two diseases and the use of a drug which is already being trialled overseas. ...

In Queensland, the state Labor Government is divided over whether to call a royal commission into the re-emergence of the coal miners' disease, black lung. A Labor backbencher says she will continue to fight for the inquiry, despite the opposition of the Mines Minister. ...

Melanoma rates are falling among those aged under 40. But the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has found the country still has the world's second-highest incidence rate, so now's no time for complacency....